UPDATE: Angel Pagan’s back situation worsens for SF Giants

UPDATE, 5:55 p.m.: Center fielder Angel Pagan was supposed to return to the lineup tonight. Instead, he is flying to Los Angeles to see a back specialist, Dr. Robert Watkins, after he sustained what he called a little setback in his recovery from a bulging disc in his lower back.

Pagan’s trajectory is starting to sound uncannily similar to last year with his hamstring: a minor ailment that was supposed to keep him out a few days, a trip to the disabled list, a longer-than-expected recovery. Last year, it also meant surgery and a three-month absence.

But Pagan today called surgery “the last thing on my mind,” as he heads south to see Dr. Watkins.

“I hope he has great news for me,” Pagan said. “I don’t think surgery is one of the options.”

All of this is bad news for the Giants, who seem to flail without Pagan in the lineup. This sample size is not small. Since Pagan joined the Giants in 2012, they are 40 games over .500 when he starts, at 156-116, and 15 under when he does not, at 59-74.

Manager Bruce Bochy seems to be tired of hearing that stat.

“A team is not built like that,” Bochy said. “You have to deal with injuries, guys having days off. We have guys who are capable of filling in. . . . I know the numbers aren’t good. At the same time, not one guy carries a ballclub. It just doesn’t work that way.

“Right now, that’s no excuse for us to go through what we’ve gone through the last two weeks.”

Pagan was in what he hoped was the final stage of his rehab when he came to the ballpark on the off day Monday and felt pain in his back and down his leg while running. It’s a sciatic condition that has not responded to rest, injections, medication and other forms of treatment.

Pagan hopes Watkins can provide a “better plan for the future” to get him back on the field.

What’s scary is the parallels to Marco Scutaro. Pagan said his situation was totally different, but it does not seem that way. Both men have bulging discs that are affecting nerves.

Meanwhile, Bochy was asked what else Gary Brown has to prove in Triple-A Fresno before the 2010 first-round pick gets his shot to replace Pagan.

Bochy responded with the same word often used to describe Brown’s shortcomings — “consistency.”

For the second time I asked about Hunter Pence leading off and advancing the other top hitters in the lineup accordingly, while dropping struggling leadoff hitters such as Gregor Blanco or Juan Perez down. For the second time, Bochy said he is considering it, but said it shortens the lineup.

“If (Pence) leads off, the guys you’re talking about will be down in there somewhere.”

Meanwhile, the Giants decided not to accelerate their timetable on Brandon Belt, who has hit three minor-league rehab homers. Belt will play for Fresno again tonight and Wednesday, perhaps rest Thursday then rejoin the Giants in San Diego on Friday.

Bochy said Belt’s thumb was a little sore after Sunday’s game. In the minors, if it gets sore he can be pulled from the game any time.

“When be bring him up here, we want to make sure he’s good to go,” Bochy said.

General manager Brian Sabean was just on Comcast Sports Net Bay Area’s “Yahoo Live” and said he has not yet exchanged names with other teams in trade discussions. Sabean also said the number of available players is not close to what the media make it seem, and that none of his minor-leaguers is untouchable.

ORIGINAL POST: The Giants have just posted their lineup for tonight’s series opener against the Cardinals. Neither Angel Pagan nor Brandon Belt is playing. I assume they have not been activated from the disabled list.

Return here for updates.

The Giants had hoped Pagan could be ready when eligible to come off the disabled list with his strained lower back. Belt would have been a long shot because he has not played that many games in the minors. He has been crushing the ball but was not expected back before Friday at the earliest.

Tim Lincecum takes the mound after his no-hitter against the Padres six days ago. His no-hitter followup last year was not good. He allowed eight runs in 3 2/3 innings to match a career high in an 11-0 loss at AT&T Park.

The lineup against lefty Marco Gonzalez in his second big-league start: